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Mourinho was sacked as Manchester United’s manager on the 18th of December following a defeat to Liverpool, United decided to replace him with former striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer until the end of the season. Since Solskjaer came in, he seems to have brought back United’s groove within the squad.
Solskjaer’s first four games in the Premier League were relatively “easy” games against teams in the bottom half of the table. However, under Mourinho United were struggling to win these games. Solskjaer plays a different style to Mourinho and brought more attacking football back to the club. In his first four games he had four wins and a positive goal difference of 14 to 3, which is impressive for a team that had a negative goal difference before he came in.
However, many people were saying that these were all easy games that a team like United are excepted to win, and that that Solskjaer has not really been tested yet. After winning against reading in the FA Cup 2-0, they faced a trip to Webley to face Tottenham, and would be their first real test. Spurs have been very good this season and threw everything at United. Unfortunately for them, they faced a fired up inform David De Gea who produced a man of the match performance and saved them from a draw or a loss. United still came with attacking intent and got a goal through Rashford, who has scored four goals since Solskjaer’s appointment.
Solskjaer has brought back the confidence of the players and they seem to be playing with more freedom and joy. This is especially true for Pogba, and Rashford who are playing in their favored positions and seem to be flourishing in them. United are now only 6 points behind Chelsea in fourth and look like they will be fighting for the top four. There are still many games for them to play, and it will be seen if they can continue to produce these wins, with their defense still looking a little shaky. However, they will be full of confidence and will keep enjoying their football.
